The Dallas Cowboys are banking on the 2026 draft to fix their secondary but if those plans fall through, a proven fallback could already be in place with the Indianapolis Colts’ nickelback.

The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to explore trade options for their nickelback Kenny Moore II, with the Dallas Cowboys viewed as a top potential destination.

Per ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, Moore is entering the last year of his contract, and the Colts and Kenny Moore II are looking for a trade option.

Mick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram responded, stating that in case of the Dallas Cowboys failing to find a nickel player in the draft, they have a backup option with Kenny Moore II.

The Colts and Moore are exploring a trade, after nine years, due to scheme fit concerns under the Colts' defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, along with the team’s broader push to get younger and faster on defense.

Across nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Kenny Moore II has played a total of 132 games. He recorded 649 tackles (498 solo), 11.5 sacks, 21 interceptions, and 67 passes defended.

His best campaign was in 2021, where he recorded 102 tackles (82 solo), 4 interceptions, and 13 passes defended, earning him his Pro Bowl appearance.

Compared to those numbers, his last season in 2025 was quite disappointing. The player recorded 55 tackles (34 solo), 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, just one interception, and six passes deflected.

It marked the first time since 2022 that Moore recorded fewer than three interceptions.

Currently, Moore II is entering the final year of his three-year, $30M deal with no guaranteed money remaining. The Indianapolis Colts are looking to gain draft capital while freeing up cap space, as he carries a $13.1M cap hit and $9.5M base salary.

If Moore were to be traded, his new team would acquire the $10 million remaining on his non-guaranteed deal, while the Colts would take on a $6.05 million dead-cap hit, per Spotrac. 

NFL experts project the Dallas Cowboys to target him to address their nickel needs, if the draft doesn’t fall their way. But the Dallas Cowboys still have several alternative options to explore in the upcoming draft.

Cowboys’ Nickelback Options to Explore in the Draft

Under Christian Parker, the nickel role is anything but ordinary. It is, as he puts it, “a corner sometimes, a safety sometimes, a backer sometimes”, a true hybrid and the kind of chess piece his entire defense revolves around.

ESPN's Peter Schrager projected Ohio State Buckeyes Caleb Downs to Dallas at No. 12. Schrager cited praise from Ohio State's defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia.

"(He) will be the smartest player on whichever team drafts him and should be a face of the franchise," Patricia said.

ESPN's Todd Archer has also reported Downs as a potential trade-up target.

As projected by DallasCowboys.com. Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman has gained traction as a versatile player for this position.

Bleacher Report has projected South Carolina Gamecocks' Jalon Kilgore, and he has also emerged as a strong candidate after drawing a private workout with the Dallas Cowboys.

Whether it’s Downs as the dream pick or alternatives like Thieneman or Kilgore, the Cowboys’ approach reflects a focused search for a defender who can line up anywhere and process quickly.

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote